and a small knife, a plate, some cloth, and a needle.[36]

[34] In Cibolan the midwife is called _taratEk-Ekn_, and need not be a
_mabalian_.

[35] A medicine made of bark and rattan.

[36] The payment given at the birth of a boy is somewhat greater than
that for a girl.

In Malilla the naming does not take place until three clays after the
birth, and the eyes are not always anointed, although the old people
agree that it is an ancient custom and "a good thing to do." At that
time the mat containing the gifts is spread on the floor and the
offerings are again called to the attention of the spirits, who are
urged to look to the welfare of the child. Should the infant be ailing,
or cry a great deal, it is a sign that the spirits are displeased with
the name given to it and another will be substituted; however, this does
not seem to be done with an idea of fooling the spirits, as is the case
with some other tribes. The child is nursed until two or three years of
age, or until another takes its place. There is no superstition
concerning twins, but triplets are at once put to death by filling their
mouths with ashes, otherwise "the parents would die, for they are like
dogs."

When questioned concerning abortion, Datu Tongkaling asserted that he
considered it "very bad," and that he would prohibit any _mabalian_ who
assisted in such a practice from continuing her profession, but he said
that despite his orders secret medicines which produce that result are
sometimes administered. Such a practice is not common, however, as